"The conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism is most evident in the paragraph: 'Canada has been deeply enriched by its Jewish community, which has made tremendous contributions to every aspect of our society. Our leading universities, hospitals, and research institutes have also benefited incredibly from cooperation, collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges with their counterparts in Israel.'"
August 27, 2024
Re: “Non-Jewish community leaders should stand up against antisemitism too.”
Dear Editor,
While I strongly support solidarity campaigns against antisemitism, I am concerned about the authors’ implicit suggestion that anti-Zionist activism should be silenced.
The conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism is most evident in the paragraph: “Canada has been deeply enriched by its Jewish community, which has made tremendous contributions to every aspect of our society. Our leading universities, hospitals, and research institutes have also benefited incredibly from cooperation, collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges with their counterparts in Israel.”
Equating Israel with Canada’s Jewish community is misleading and offensive. It suggests that Jewish Canadians uniformly represent Israel, framing Jewish identities as a monolithic group that speaks with one voice on Israel—a portrayal that is neither accurate nor fair.
I also take issue with the framing that students on Canadian campuses make Jewish students unsafe. These students challenge pro-Israel views that dehumanize Palestinians. Criticizing Israel’s policies, particularly its occupation of Palestine, is a legitimate form of discourse that needs to be protected under the Canadian Charter. Conflating these criticisms with antisemitism risks infringing on our freedom of expression.
While some students may feel uncomfortable in these discussions, open discourse that distinguishes Zionism from Judaism in the current context of Israel’s 11-month siege on Gaza is necessary. This separation allows for healthy democratic debate, where a religious community is not conflated with the actions of a rogue state. Fighting antisemitism and protecting voices critical of Israel are not mutually exclusive.
Proponents of Palestinian human rights have faced severe consequences for their activism, from losing jobs to facing unjust criminal charges. Canadian media must maintain a clear distinction between antisemitism and legitimate political criticism of Israel and its policies that perpetuate an apartheid system against Palestinians. Otherwise, Charter freedoms will continue to be trampled when people stand up for Palestine.
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East